Police said the suspect was attempting to rob a Dollar General in the 1100 block of Poland Avenue before reportedly shooting Officer John Passaro, who responded to the scene.

Criminologist John Penny believes this type of incident could have a strong impact on law enforcement officers.

"Any day you strap on a uniform and a gun, you are a target," Penny said.

Penny said when Officer Passaro, a 3-year NOPD veteran, responded to an armed robbery complaint Saturday morning, he walked into an ambush.

"For safety matters you need back up and you need someone who can case out the place and kind of give you a sense of what you're going into, and I'm not so sure that's the case here."

Penny said officers are no doubt upset and enraged as they deal with the tragedy of a fellow officer being shot amid the ongoing search for the man who's responsible.

"It brings out an indignation that sometimes is a righteous indignation, but they respond in a very angry manner," he explained.

Penny said it's important for officers to proceed with caution and be prepared for anything as they search for a man who Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas described as dangerous.

"I think that they really need to have some specific ideas of where this person might be, how far he's moved from the scene and bring out the appropriate amount of people in order to handle this situation," he said.

He went on to say that a criminal who's already shown little respect for police authority is likely to commit the same offense again.

"This calls for wise and deliberate knowledge that might help to find this person quickly, and at the same time save some police officer's life." Penny said the community is also at risk as long as the criminal remains on the street.

Authorities said Passaro is in the Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital. If you can help police with any information on the whereabouts of the suspect call crimestoppers at 822-111.